President Of France’s National Cinema Center Indicted For Sexual Assault, Attempted Rape

France CNC President indicted for attempted rape and sexual assault.

Dominique Boutonnat, the president of France’s National Film Board (CNC), was indicted for attempted rape and sexual assault on Thursday. A complaint was filed by his 22-year-old godson on October 7, 2020. Dominique's godson alleged that the sexual assault occurred in August during a holiday in Greece.

The head of France's CNC was held in custody since Wednesday morning. Along with the indictment, the accused has also been banned from contacting the alleged victim. The accuser's lawyer, Caroline Toby, told AFP, "The indictment is a necessary step in establishing the truth as well as protecting my client." 

On the other hand, Dominique’s lawyer criticized the move and said it was a hasty decision as that the facts and evidence were still disputed. He added that the indictment was 'precipitated' as there hadn’t been any 'confrontation' between his client and the accuser in front of French authorities during the custody. Furthermore, he said that the accused also denied the allegations against him. 

Meanwhile, Collectif 50/50, an organisation aiming for increase gender parity and diversity in the French film industry and help the survivors of sexual violence, demanded that the accused president of CNC steps down from his position for the present, so that “justice can carry on with the procedure.” 

In an official statement by the organisation on Twitter, it was stated in French, “The collective 50/50 reminds the importance of respecting two presumptions: the presumption of innocence and the presumption of truth and sincerity of the alleged victims.”

The National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC) is an agency under the Ministry of Culture of France. It is responsible for the production and promotion of cinematic and audiovisual arts in France. Dominique Boutonnat was appointed as the President of CNC in July 2019. He is also a French film producer and financier.

This accusation comes as a shock to many as the CNC, under his leadership, was instrumental in setting up guidelines to fight against sexual harassment in the French film industry.